The first K-Pop member to collaborate with Gucci and release a namesake collection was EXO’s Kai.
In 2021, Gucci introduced the KAI x Gucci Capsule Collection, created with Kai and inspired by his love of teddy bears. The range included clothing, shoes, bags and accessories featuring a playful bear motif, giving the luxury house’s polished aesthetic a distinctly personal touch.
Kai’s collaboration followed a close relationship with Gucci. He had already appeared in Gucci campaigns, attended the brand’s fashion shows and served as a global ambassador. His collection was notable because Gucci described it as the first collection the Italian fashion house had launched with a Korean celebrity.
A common mix-up is confusing Kai’s Gucci collection with his status as a Gucci ambassador or with later fashion partnerships involving other K-Pop stars. The key distinction is that Kai was the first Korean celebrity—and therefore the first K-Pop idol—to receive a Gucci collection released under his own name.